Truth about skipping breakfast, its effects on cholesterol

Skipping breakfast is a common habit for many, especially for those with busy schedules or following intermittent fasting regimens, Health Digest features. 

If people have breakfast, it may only be a quick cup of coffee during their commute or a bagel during a morning meeting. Those practicing intermittent fasting might regularly skip breakfast, choosing to delay their first meal until much later in the day.

Skipping breakfast may lead to a rise in LDL cholesterol. While skipping breakfast can result in weight loss, those who skip breakfast had LDL cholesterol levels that were 9 points higher than those who ate breakfast. However, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, a board-certified family physician and author of Eat for Life, explained that skipping breakfast isn't necessarily harmful to heart health.

"The body may mobilize your stored lipids (such as fats and cholesterol) when no food is coming in, and this could result in temporary increases in LDL cholesterol," Fuhrman said. "If you start skipping breakfast, this may start to occur during your overnight fast, but this does not mean that this temporary release of stored cholesterol increases cardiovascular risk." Nonetheless, Fuhrman advises considering a few factors if you decide to skip breakfast.

Fuhrman notes that individuals who prioritize breakfast are more likely to make healthier food choices not just in the morning, but also at lunch and dinner. Breakfast eaters tend to be more health-conscious and often incorporate exercise into their routine.

"People who are less health-conscious may skip breakfast but eat more snacks and junk food," he explained. "This could explain the findings of observational studies that show better diet quality and health in those who eat breakfast."

A 2013 study published in Public Health Nutrition that examined the breakfast habits of young adults aged 20 to 39 found that those who skipped breakfast had more unhealthy cholesterol levels. Compared to those who ate ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, breakfast skippers were more likely to have obesity, high blood pressure, and elevated insulin levels. Fuhrman suggests that skipping breakfast may lead to overeating later in the day or making poor food choices.

He also notes that regularly skipping breakfast causes the body to adjust to the new eating pattern, which can disrupt metabolism and even make digestion more difficult.

"Whether you eat breakfast is much less important than which foods you choose to eat for all your meals," Fuhrman said. "If you're eating greens, other vegetables, berries, and other fruits, beans, mushrooms, and nuts and seeds, your diet will be health-promoting whether you consume two or three meals daily, and your cholesterol will improve."

By Naila Huseynova